Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1890. Mr Wilson's Address.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 4 October 1890, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1890. Mr Wilson's Address.

Thkki. is an attempt to make this ! election n coiitost between what is termed capital and labour. We are ' hartllv advanced enough in the battle ! to sa v that it is so, but the supporters , of the candidates lead us to suppose < that it is to be so, by the arguments ] used in obtaining votes. We have- ! had sufficient experience of the un- ) fortunate results arising from such a

contest in the commercial world, to dread the supposition that it is to he introduced into the political world also, and until it is definitely stated that such are the grounds of battle, electors should refuse to believe that sucli foo'ish tactics will be used. Unfortunately, should such a cry ba raised, all poii.ical reform will have to be abandoned, and class must be arrayed against class to return a representative, not because they believe in his views, but because of his being either a labourer or a capitalist. We believe, however, that the average good sense of the electors will resent such grounds lor support, and will demand from the candidates for their votes more statesmanlike qualities than the accident of a position in life. We have before us a statement of some of Mr Wilson's views, and it is satisfactory to learn that he is still sound on Freetrade, though he points to no probable action by which it can be secured, His policy as to opening up waste lands by roads will meet the approval of every one who htis been connected with the settlement of land. We rather regret to notice that Mr Wilson has descended to propitiate those who are in favour of bursting up big estates, by meeting them in advocating a special tax ou absentees land, as we look upon such a step as being only the forerunner for a plea for other special, taxes on the objectionable few who own property. We have no sympathy with those who draw their income from the colony and spend it elsewhere, but the step from a special tux on them is but a short one to taxing more heavily those large runholders who gaze without effecting improvements, and who are satisfied with the land in its natural state, instead of obtaining from it its largest yield. This undoubtedly is the most revolutionary doctrine that Mr Wilson hns ever broached, and will can*! 3 bun much trouble in the future. We should have desired to have seen it more plainly declared as to whom he would give his support, supposing that the elections make a decided change in the political parties. We gather from the address that Mr Wilson still adheres to Sir Harry Atkinson, and believes him to be the best man at the present crisis. As far ns a local representative goes, Mr Wilson is hard to beat : he claims, and most fairly to, that during the years he has represented this district he has attended to the requests of supporters and opponents. He is a decidedly popular resident, and being a farmer, understands their needs. We do not hold with much that he has done, or with what he han left undone, \et we think his chances of re-election would have been indisputable had it not unfortunately happened tha: his health has interfered with his making a personal canvass. His supporters having induced him, against his own desire, to stand as a candidate, have a heavy responsibility upon their hands, and they cannot afford to miss a single chance to assist his return.